Tennis fans and commentators are welcoming the return of former top-30 player Camila Giorgi after the Italian revealed she’ll be back on the WTA circuit next year. Giorgi announced her retirement from professional tennis in 2024 and pursued a career in modelling.
The 34-year-old is expecting her first baby, but is looking to get back into tennis. During a social media Q&A with fans this week, Giorgi stated multiple times that she’ll be back in 2027.
One question asked: “Will you come back to tournament tennis in the future?” Giorgi replied: “Yes, in 2027.” Another fan asked: “Are you sure you’ll come back to play on the WTA circuit? And if so, when?” Giorgi said: “Yes, in 2027.”
Camila Giorgi is set to return in 2027 after announcing her retirement two years ago. Image: Getty
The Italian won four singles titles in her career before she retired, amassing $9 million in prize money. She reached a career high ranking of World No.26 in 2018 after making the quarter-finals at Wimbledon that year.
She reached the fourth round at the US Open in 2013 and French Open in 2022, and made the third round at the Australian Open five times. Her last grand slam appearance was at the Australian Open in 2024, and she stepped away from the sport after a loss to Iga Swiatek at the Miami Open that year.
She had a career year in 2021 when she reached the quarter-finals at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, and then won her maiden WTA 1000 title at the Canadian Open. She beat four top-25 players en route to the trophy – Elise Mertens, Petra Kvitová, Coco Gauff and Karolína Plíšková.
Camila Giorgi at the Miami Open in 2024.
(Getty Images)Camila Giorgi had hinted at tennis return
Giorgi hinted last year that a return was on the cards. “Of course, you get these emotions and you say, ‘Why not leave a door open?'” she said.
“Maybe I’d approach this adventure differently, perhaps a little more lightheartedly, but I’ve done a lot of things in this period and, above all, I’ve lived life, because perhaps you know you have to be a little more focused when you’re in a high-level sport.
“Anyway, I had a lot of fun. A possible return? You never know in life. You always have to leave doors open, in my opinion.”
On social media, fans have welcomed the news of Giorgi’s return. She’s a fan favourite with a cult following, including 691,000 followers on Instagram.